Vancouver Freelancers

Schema

Well-Known Member
#1
A cowboy, a lawyer, and an alien walk into a bar. No, seriously. 

Welcome to Vancouver, where everywhere is a short 15 minute drive. 

India, Eastern Europe, San Francisco? No problem. I have the right buildings for you. 

But back to The Bar where the movers, shakers, actors, and directors of the larger production companies like to congregate.

My name is Jay, and unlike the people on the other side of The Bar, I am new to 'The Biz' 

Well, part-time bartender, part-time freelancer. 

And if this was a T.V. show, this is the point where I would say something cliche like... 

This is my story.

=========================================================

Vancouver Freelancers is the story of a kid trying to break into the Film/TV industry. Through the trials and tribulations he befriends a group of people, fledgling actors, writers, all looking for their break, as well as a couple of 'average working stiffs'. There will be a couple of characters which 'host' their own chapters, sometimes with overlapping scenes with different perspective.  Ultimately some of the 'Main' characters friends will advance, and others will fail. The recurring conflicts/themes are:

1) When your friends are your coworkers, how do you look out for your own professional interests? 
2) Surveillance, Social Media, Reputation, Cyber Harassment
3) How peoples views on Success and Failure color their perception

4) Automation Engineering
 

zerohour

Well-Known Member
#2
Interesting.


I like the premise.  I think a lot of people are developing an interest in show business now, especially since if they want to try it themselves, they just need a mediocre camera and sound system to upload stuff to Youtube or some other site.

Couple of questions:

1: Is this pretty much going to focus on the characters with show business in the background/a source of plots, or will it actually delve into it a bit?

2: Are they all trying to "make it big" or just be successful enough to do it full time?

3: Will they do any personal projects?  Something cheap they make on their own to post on the internet or get practical experience, or something larger that they crowdfunded/kickstarted so they can make something their way and showcase their skills take advantage of a bigger budget?  Think that would be a good counterpoint to working in the business while sticking to the core themes.
 

Schema

Well-Known Member
#3
I thought about this a bit more; I think the format I have it envisioned is as more of a T.V. format. Before coming back to this project I'll need to do a bit of research on writing good stories in stories. And to be honest lost a bit of the muse after posing the idea, not entirely thrilled with the concept anymore. (What I have in mind feels a bit to much like a weird amalgamation of the post graduation seasons of Glee, Silicon Valley, and Friends)

1) I'd like to delve a bit into the business but don't have the knowledge to do so at the moment :(

2) For the 'core' group it would have to be a bit of a longer road to 'big'. Probably one of the non-core group members hits gold and 'drifts' away.

3) Personal projects, yes. Didn't think about the crowd funded part.
 

zerohour

Well-Known Member
#4
If it's more of a TV Format, you probably want to write it more as a collection of novellas/novelettes than one huge story.  It gives you more frequent "break" points to fit that style, while still giving you enough space that you can insert long term plot points. 

If you're stuck for inspiration, one tool I've found fairly useful for inspiring characters or story development is the FATE gaming system.  It's flexible enough that you could apply it to pretty much anything, if you put the effort in to it, and I think of it more as a story telling device than a gaming system, since it's designed to promote interesting and dynamic characters, with built in plot generators for character driven advancement. 


1: You can probably get the basics through research over the internet or library.  That should cover enough to get started, unless you're planning on exploring the technical side of the business in depth.  You can probably e-mail a few minor internet celebrities as well, to get a hands on point of view.  A lot of them would probably be willing to spar a few minutes to help someone else realize their dreams, and they probably have a lot of insight into the story line you want to create.


2: So they are all trying to make it big?  That's going to make the story a lot more competitive and cutthroat than a story where some of them just want to play a part.  If some of them are just looking to play a regularly recurring role in a minor show vs. trying to be the star of the next hit series, it gives you a few different avenues to explore, and also allows them to be more cooperative than if they're all aiming for the same goal.

Plus it gives you a few different contrasts to throw in there.  One person who sticks with mid-level jobs in the business and has more free time to hang with friends and help them out, vs someone who takes a major role and has to choose between than and their friends.  Someone who only goes for major roles vs someone who gets a recurring one that ends up evolving into a bigger part, or getting a spinoff.

Just want to emphasize that there were more options than go big or go home.  Think of it as a ladder you have to climb.  Not everyone needs to get to the top to get where they want to be.

1-unknown
2-extra/starting youtube channel
3-bit part/ few fans on youtube
4-regular bit part/minor role/minor following on youtube
5-recurring supporting roles
6-regular supporting role/Large youtube following/Minor celebrity
7-supporting main cast
8-Main cast/Celebrity
9-Star
10-Superstar/Major celebrity

Some people will be happy at level 5, either because it's regular work, or they don't want to put in the effort it would take to climb higher.  Others will stop at nothing to reach level ten, some will reach level ten and realize they hate it.  Some will reach level four and realize that it makes them really happy, or any of a dozen other options.  Having everyone want to reach level ten limits your options for the story.  There's nothing wrong with it, you just need to be aware of that.


3: Personal projects are probably the best way to get at least some recognition at the start.  It gives them a chance to gain experience and try out new things, all while trying to keep the budget extremely low so they don't end up completely broke.  Having some samples of their work will open a few doors that might otherwise be closed, and it gives them a chance to gain fans/popularity to boost their visibility.


Crowdfunding will probably come later on than the initial no budget free to see stuff, since they will need to build up a fan base that wants to see their stuff before people will give them money, unless you also want to incorporate friends and family into the story.  It's a transition point between shoe string budget and studio funding, and will come with a whole new list of complications, difficulties, and obligations that they've never had to deal with before.



Feel free to keep on posting here.   I'm always happy to help with developing new ideas, and this one seems like it could be interesting.
 
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